DBT is a multi-modal treatment. Although skills training is a single mode, it is by far the most popular mode of DBT. Many programs begin implementing this mode in the beginning of learning how to develop their DBT program. Perfect for support staff, those working on the front lines and for direct care clinicians, this training will primarily focus on the concepts and the foundation of the DBT skills while at the same time helping those clinicians experienced in DBT expand their knowledge in them. Participants who attend this training can also expect to learn how to structure and format a skills training group, understand the roles and functions of facilitators, begin to teach the concepts of the DBT skills, identify and confront specific therapy-destroying behaviors found in group, lead meaningful mindfulness exercises, and assign specific homework assignments to help strengthen skill generalization.
National speaker and consultant Josh Smith will provide numerous case examples, recordings of sessions, and mindfulness exercises to demonstrate the concepts behind the DBT skills. He prides himself on being able to demystify the most difficult concepts in DBT into a way that helps people to leave with a better understanding. Josh is also well known for having a down-to- earth presentation style while balancing it with irreverence and reciprocity.
OBJECTIVES
Learn how to format and structure a DBT Skills Group.
Describe the 4 Modules of DBT Skills Training: Core Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Emotion Regulation.
Identify specific therapy destroying behaviors found in group therapy.
Explain the roles and functions of facilitators.
Employ powerful mindfulness based techniques.
OUTLINE
Structure and Format of DBT Skills Training Group
Demographics and rules
Length of group
Mindfulness exercises
Targets of skills training group
Roles of skills trainers
Homework review
What to teach and when to teach it
Roles and functions of facilitators
Core Mindfulness Skills
Becoming aware in order to act wisely
Participating with a non-judgmental stance
Letting go of fair vs. unfair, right vs. wrong, anger and vengeance
Distress Tolerance Skills
Learning to tolerate and accept the crisis as it is
IMPROVE the moment
Soothing the senses
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Assertiveness training
Maintaining and improving relationships
Increasing self-respect
Emotion Regulation Skills
Reducing emotional vulnerability
Enhancing positive emotions through experience
Decreasing aversive emotions with opposite action
Wrap-Up
ABOUT JOSH SMITH, LMSW, BCD
Josh Smith, LMSW, BCD is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Michigan. He is currently the co-owner/founder of The DBT Center of Michigan, PLLC. Located throughout Michigan, these centers specialize in comprehensive DBT treatment and EMDR for both adults and adolescents. Josh received his 10-Day Intensive DBT training from Behavioral Tech, LLC, a company founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan. He has given numerous trainings and lectures for agencies, hospitals and universities all over the country on DBT and topics related to Borderline Personality Disorder. Josh is a clinical instructor in the Psychiatry Department at Michigan State University where he supervises and teaches DBT to residents in the psychiatry program. He has experience working as an outpatient therapist in a community mental health setting, where he was directly responsible for the implementation of a highly effective DBT program for both adults and adolescents within this agency. He is the DBT Team Leader and is in charge of treatment adherence and research in DBT at The DBT Center of Michigan.
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